Tororo’s RockCity Radio to go on air this year

President Yoweri Museveni gives radio sh200million boost

Tororo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Tororo Broadcasting Network Limited radio (RockCity Radio) will go live this year. This assurance was given today after President Yoweri Museveni fulfilling a government sh200million pledge that was needed by the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) to complete the installatio of RockCity Radio. 

Defence State Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth on Saturday handed over the promised sh200million to the cultural leader of the Jopadhola, HRH Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor, at his palace in Tororo.

“With great excitement, I inform you all that the pledge of sh200m by government to support establishment of our radio has been fulfilled and banked on our account,” said Tororo Broadcasting Network Limited Board chairman Geresom Okecho-Ochwo early today.

SOUNDCLOUD: Click to listen

Geresom Okecho-Ochwo said with the sh200m, the radio that is already on air online, will start live transmission and get onto Ugandans radios by end of year.

“We assure you that we will be on air by end of this year. The radio will be managed purely on commercial basis to generate income for development of our region,” he said.

Kwar Adhola Moses Owor thanked the President for supporting TACI’s communication effort, stressing that the radio would be a great mobilisation tool for both local and central government.

“This radio will be used to tell our people the truth, spread development plans and cultural news. I urge you all to contribute as everyone is capable of making a contribution to grow Padhola,” he said. (WATCH RELATED VIDEO)

Tororo radio on air online already

A Sh600 million funds drive to establish a radio to serve Tororo district and beyond was in first initiated in 2020 by the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution, with appeals going to potential donors in Uganda and abroad. The radio started tests online earlier this year.(click here to listen to ROCKCITY radio ) or (RockCity Radio TORORO)

Close to sh400m has been raised in cash and pledges in the past two years. Area MPs Oboth Oboth and Emmanuel Otaala have already each offered  sh10million while NRM electoral chief Tanga Odoi, has offered sh6million..

Already in place is a house offered by Ambassador Bernadette Olowo- Freers at Tororo central business district that will be repurposed and wired to host the radio.

There are currently three radio stations in Tororo licensed by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). UCC has allowed all three to operate at an average of 1,500 watts but what was innitially approved for RockCity was a 500W FM transmitter, that will not go far for a community radio.

Radio board chair Okecho-Ochwo has therefore said they will be seeking to operate at a higher level and will appeal again to UCC.

First Fundraising

At the first fundraising in November 2020, Kwar Adhola challenged clans in Padhola to spearhead the drive to mobilise support for the radio, which he said will be a main vehicle for communication.

“Our people are praised for being hardworking. Now is the time for the Jopadhola, each of them, to show what they are capable of,” Kwar Adhola said.

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Banking and mobile money details

The TACI radio committee opened collection bank accounts with DFCU Bank Limited, Acacia Branch to ease the fundraising drive.

Following UCC instructions, the TACI radio committee treasurer , Constant Othieno Mayende recently opened a new account in the names of Tororo Broadcasting Network Limited – also in DFCU. It is UGX A/C 0106 00 1027 4194 and USD A/C 0206 00 1027 4200.

TACI have also included a GoFundMe initiative (GoFundMe ) online as one of the ways to raise funds. It is organised by Prof Robert Owor at Albany State University in the US.

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ACCOUNT NO (UGX): 01063658295260
ACCOUNT NAME: TIENG ADHOLA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
BANK: DFCU BANK LIMITED, ACACIA BRANCH
SWIFT CODE: DFCUUGKAXXX

ACCOUNT NO (USD): 02063658329257
ACCOUNT NAME: TIENG ADHOLA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
BANK: DFCU BANK LIMITED, ACACIA BRANCH
SWIFT CODE: DFCUUGKAXXX

📌 Treasurer, Constant Othieno Mayende Mobile Money (MTN: 0772 590464 or Airtel: 0751 233470)

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RELATED OLD STORIES

(click to read them)

✅  Kwar Adhola profile (click)

✅  Website: Jopadhola.com  (CLICK)

✅  GoFundMe (click)

✅  Tororo radio targets December 2021 launch 

✅ Tororo leaders meet to find solutions for rising poverty, poor roads, low rank hospital

Girls University, Tororo radio to get Museveni boost this year